St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-03-18
IN MINNEAPOLIS.
A Quiet Celebration of the Greatest
Day in the Irish Calendar.

Yesterday was bright and beautiful in
Minneapolis, worthy to be the anniversary
of the Irish apostles" st. Patrick. The
1rishmen of the city generally wore the
green, and the attendance at the Irish Cath
olic churches was very large, special services
commemorative of the work of the patron
saint being held. On account of an unfor-
tunate difference of opinion between the
Hibernian and Crusader societies. there
was no parade, but evidences of the an
nlyerSary were not wanting Oh Minneapolis
streets. A large green flag, bearing the
symbolic harp waved to the breeze over
Finnigan's building, on Hennepin avenue:
the Irish men and Irish women wore small
green ribbons on coat and dress, the drivers
displayed their color on their whips. and
every one was made 10 know that it was
Ern's day. Two little boys celebrated the day
by indulging in ice cream at one of the
confectioners. One lad wore broad rib
bon of vivid green on the lapel of his coat,
the other had a small bit of very dark green
in his button hole. On being asked why he
did not wear the bright color he said:
''Well, you see, l au not very much of an
IriShman, but my friend is full blooded."
Americans find it difficult to understand
the love and veneration which Irishmen
liSpldy 1OI tl6 llculOly VI OU. 1dUflcK.
There is no analogous character in Ameri-
can history. 1t is character which has
dual hold upon the Irish people 1t is a
holy character. st. Patrick being to Ire
land what Paul was to the Athenians-an
apostle OF Christ-the difference being that
the Irish accepted St. Patrick's teaching
and he became their evangel, while st.
Paul was rejected by learned people.
Aside from the religious ties which keep
green the memory of the patron saint. and
these ties are the more binding, ST. Patrick
was the first great and powerful civilizing
force that was known III Ireland. He es-
tabliShed schools as well as churches,
and freed the mind from ignorance while
delivering the soul from idolatry. There is
no more commendable trait in the IRISH
character than the love of everything
Irish, and particularly the veneration of
the memory of Ireland's first great bene-
factor, ST. Patrick. Next to the Holy
Family. the Irish Catholic reveres st. Pat,
rick, feeling that does him the highest
honor.
The principal religious feature Of the
day in this city was the sermon preached
by Father Kahn. 1t was a masterful
presentation of the character and teachings
of the great saint, In the evening, besides
entertainments at Dania hall and East Side
Turner hall, both of which were well
attended the Crusaders Dramatic club
| presented Peep O. Day Boys a four act
comedy-drama, at Harmonic hall. The
hail was crowded by an appreciative audi
ence. Preceding the play a number of
songs were given by Messls. ONeil, Baker,
O'Donnell, Dibb and Lennon. MI Bakers
solo, st. Patrick's Day." was given an
enthusiastic encore. In the duet by
Messrs. Dibb ,and Lennon. the latter gen
tleman displayed to good advantage a tenor
voice OF great purity. Father Kain made
short address. The priest Is an eloquent
| speaker and his short speech was an orator
ical gem. He spoke in glowing terms of
the Irish character, and created tremendous
applause by his closing sentiment Some
time in the near future [ hope to stand on
some stage and send greetings to Parnell,
the president Of the Irish republic"
The drama proved very satisfactory and
showed careful preparation on the part of
the performers. The young ladies and gem
tlemen taking part We're Misses May
Sweeney, Abby Danehy and Lizzie McCar-
thy and Messrs. j. p. Courtney, j. j.
Smith, B. Mousse. John O'Brien, Jr.. John
Norton, d. Woosey. T. II. Kelly, Thomas
O'Donnell. G. f. McNally. Z. Desmond, r.
Casserly, T. Z. King, j. E. Woolsey, NJ.
j. Kennedy.